NEW MILFORD -- The political climate is heated in New Milford as a new wave of Democrats and the Democratic old guard go head to head.

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New Milford Democratic primary Tuesday, at all polling sites, for seats on the Democratic Town Committee:Rows A and B: New Milford Democrats for Change, led by Andy GrossmanRows C and D: Democrats for New Milford, led by John Lillis

A primary vote is set for Tuesday at all polling sites in New Milford for Democrats to decide which slate of party members will form the Democratic Town Committee.

With the Jan. 9 vote, 12 members of the current DTC remained, joining 23 new faces. The vote was 83 to 62.

Lillis mounted an assault, circulating a petition and garnering 302 signatures to primary for DTC control. He was joined by the other 23 current members who face the loss of their seats.

Some Democrats have asked where this enthusiasm was when, election after election, no Democratic challengers came forward to take on Republican Mayor Pat Murphy and Republicans repeatedly swept commission and board seats.

"The losing group, headed up by John Lillis ... actively solicited individuals, knocked on doors and made calls to secure enough signatures to trigger a taxpayer-funded primary ... Where was all this activity in the last decade?" asked Ann Hartman on Feb. 19.

Morey calls Grossman "a red flag" whose very presence on the new slate should be a warning to Democrats.

"Why are these Republicans supporting Lillis and his slate?" Grossman asked when the blog letter first went up. "That's the red flag."

Lillis could not be reached for comment Saturday. Former mayor and current DTC treasurer Liba Furhman, who is on the Lillis slate, also could not be reached.

"It will be a good thing that every registered Democrat in town will have the opportunity to vote on this decision," Lillis said in February when the primary was set.

Democratic Party member Paul Hulton, in his 90s, has noted his "disappointment" in Democrats "blaming each other for recent election losses."

"I, for one, appreciate the continued dedication and hard work that these seasoned Democrats give our party," Hulton wrote in a letter to the editor Feb. 19, "and I will be supporting the Democrats for New Milford on Row C and D on March 4."

"Things have gone a certain way over the last 10 years. You either like it or you don't," Mullen said. "There's experienced people on both slates. But there's a lot more youthful exuberance on ours. There's young people on ours who have tried to get involved in the past and been ignored or told no.

"We say follow us on Twitter or Facebook. That's the communication of today. We're a very enthusiastic group."